Archives for October 5, 2005

'The game went back and forth until the Sabres got a two-goal lead early in third period when Maxim Afinogenov scored. Thomas Vanek recorded his first NHL point on that goal as he had an assist. Afinogenov would add an empty netter on the power play with 35 seconds left in the game.'

'Maxim Afinogenov scored twice, J.P. Dumont had a goal and an assist and Brian Campbell added a goal in a game Buffalo never trailed. Ryan Miller stopped 22 shots and overcame a very soft goal to win his seventh career game and end a four-game losing streak dating to February 19, 2003.'

'Team Marketing said the average price of a ticket at HSBC Arena is $29.73. Only the Carolina Hurricanes ($26.15) and Phoenix Coyotes ($27.37) have cheaper ticket prices. The Philadelphia Flyers have the most expensive ticket prices at an average of $54.81.'

‘It might as well be the best kept secret in town. A secret even kept from many employees and players within the Buffalo Sabres organization. However, rumors are rampant this morning on the opening day of the 2005-2006 NHL season. Is Blue and Gold back?’

'"It puts a target on you, but I think I have a great rapport with the players we have here now," Ruff said. "We as a staff, myself included, we have to silence the critics. That's the way I look at it. If we don't, whatever happens, happens. We have something to prove. If we don't, we should take the blame."'

'"We want to be a team that's going to take advantage of the new rules," said co-captain Daniel Briere. "Instead of complaining about them, we want to try to exploit them as quick as possible. In that way, we're hopeful we might be able to jump on a few teams and surprise a few teams."'

'"This game has got everything, and I'm excited about that," Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said. "Let's get it out of the way. We got two former players coming back, we got a new NHL we're staring at, we got a team we really like, we've had a training camp that's been very good. So bring it on. Let's get at it."'